Glorying in Personal Power Rather than God
The biblical concept of "glorying in the Lord" stands in contrast to glorying in personal power, wisdom, or achievements. This distinction is highlighted in various scriptural passages and theological interpretations. The prophet Jeremiah states, "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor let the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the Lord" (Jeremiah 9:23-24) [6]. This passage forms a foundational principle for understanding where true glory should be directed [7].
The Apostle Paul frequently echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that any boasting should be in God alone. In 1 Corinthians, he writes, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31) [7]. This is presented as an antidote to "flesh glorying in His presence" (1 Corinthians 1:29) [7]. John Gill, commenting on Jeremiah 9:23, explains that one should not glory in natural wisdom, which often falls short of true knowledge of God, nor in evangelical wisdom, if it leads to self-exaltation [6]. Similarly, Adam Clarke notes on 2 Corinthians 10:17 that even successful evangelists should attribute all glory to God, as no one can succeed without His blessing [5].
Paul's own ministry exemplifies this principle. He explicitly states that he would not glory in his own efforts or successes as if they were from himself [9]. Instead, his glorying was "through Jesus Christ" [9]. In Galatians, Paul declares, "But God forbid that I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14) [4]. This means glorying in the doctrine that salvation comes only through Christ's atoning sacrifice [4]. John Gill interprets Paul's statement in Galatians 6:13 as an aversion to glorying in outward privileges, moral righteousness, or personal attainments, contrasting it with rejoicing in the spiritual qualities of believers [3].
The danger of seeking glory from human sources rather than from God is also noted in the Gospels. John 12:43 states that some "loved glory from men rather than glory from God" [1]. This highlights a fundamental choice between seeking human approval and divine affirmation. Paul consistently pointed away from himself and toward God, even boasting in his weaknesses and defeats rather than his strengths, unlike the false teachers of his time [8]. Matthew Henry observes that Paul waived his right to be supported by the Corinthians, not claiming his due, which further illustrates his commitment to not glorying in personal privilege [2].
Sources
- John “John 12:43 (Darby) — for they loved glory from men rather than glory fromGod.”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 9:15: Here he tells them that he had, notwithstanding, waived his privilege, and lays down his reason for doing it. I. He tells them that he had neglected to claim his right in times past: I have used none of these things, Co1 9:15. He neither ate nor drank himself at their cost, nor led about a wife to be maintained by them, nor forbore working to maintain himself. From others he received a maintenance, but not from them, for some special reasons. Nor did he write this to make his claim now. Though he here asserts his right, yet he does not claim his due; but de”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 6:13: But God forbid that I should glory,.... The apostle, on the contrary, expresses his aversion to glorying in anything these men did; not in his outward carnal privileges, as a Jew; nor in his moral, civil, and legal righteousness; nor in his gifts and attainments; nor in his labours and success, as of himself; nor in the flesh of others, or in any outward corporeal subjection to any ordinance, legal or evangelical; his glorying and rejoicing were rather in the spirituality, the faith, hope, love, patience, order, and steadfastness of the saints, than in anything in ”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:14: But God forbid that I should glory - Whatever others may do, or whatever they may exult or glory in, God forbid that I should exult, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; in the grand doctrine, that justification and salvation are only through Christ crucified, he having made an atonement for the sin of the world by his passion and death. And I glory, also, in the disgrace and persecution which I experience through my attachment to this crucified Christ. By whom the world is crucified unto me - Jewish rites and Gentile vanities are equally insipid to me; ”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 10:17: He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord - Instead of boasting or exulting even in your own success in preaching the Gospel, as none can be successful without the especial blessing of God, let God who gave the blessing have the glory. Even the genuine apostle, who has his commission immediately from God himself, takes no praise to himself from the prosperity of his work, but gives it all to God. How little cause then have your uncommissioned men to boast, to whom God has assigned no province, and who only boast in another man's line of things made ready t”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 9:23: Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,.... Not in his natural wisdom, or knowledge of natural things: this is often but an appearance of wisdom, and is science falsely so called; and whatever is real of this kind is of God; and the best falls short of leading men to a true and saving knowledge of God; the foolishness of God is wiser than it; and it is made foolish, destroyed, and brought to nought by him: nor in evangelical wisdom and knowledge; not in that which is less common, or what fits men for public usefulness, as ministerial gifts; fo”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 1:31: glory in . . . Lord-- (Jer 9:23-24) --in opposition to "flesh glorying in His presence" (Co1 1:29). In contrast to morbid slavish self-abasement, Paul joins with humility the elevating consciousness of our true dignity in Christ. He who glories is to glory in the Lord, not in the flesh, nor in the world. Next: 1 Corinthians Chapter 2”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 11:21: 11:21b-29 Rather than boasting about his strengths and successes like the false teachers did, Paul boasts in weakness and defeat, pointing away from himself and toward God.”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 15:16: I have therefore whereof I may glory,.... Not in himself, for he that taught others not to glory in men, would not glory in himself; not in his carnal descent and fleshly privileges; nor in his knowledge of, and compliance with, the ceremonies of the law; nor in his legal, moral, and civil righteousness before God; nor in his gifts and attainments, as merited and procured by himself; nor in his labours in the ministry, and the success of it, as of himself: but through Jesus Christ; or "in Jesus Christ", as read the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions; in wha”